1609
The presence of latex allergens in a dummy made of natural gum (Infa, "special safety dummy", Nordisk Forbindstof, Denmark) and in a silicone teat for bottles (Esska, Sweden) was analysed in an immunospot system (modified dot blot). Extracts from the dummies, and also from latex gloves and centrifuged rubber tree sap as controls, were applied to nitrocellulose sheets. One sheet was incubated with a pool of sera from latex-RAST-positive patients. A serum with a negative latex-RAST but positive cereal RAST was used as control. After washing, the plates were incubated with radioactive anti-IgE (Pharmacia) before autoradiography. IgE antibodies from the latex-RAST-positive serum were bound to the
latex dummy, but not to the silicone teat. IgE was also bound to the control extracts (glove and sap). The control serum did not show any IgE binding. There are reports of latex allergy in children exposed to balloons.3 Children with congenital urological abnormalities have an increased risk of intraoperative anaphylaxis, probably due to latex allergy from frequent exposures to rubber catheters.4 Because babies’ dummies contain natural latex, exposure to natural latex allergens is very common. Our findings show that sensitisation to latex can occur even in infancy. In eczema, urticaria, or anaphylaxis in babies, latex allergy should be borne in mind. Gloves, catheters, and other latex products could cause anaphylaxis during surgical procedures. Thus, tests for latex allergy might be recommended for surgical patients with allergy. Department of Allergic Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00250 Helskini, Finland
SOILI MÄKINEN-KILJUNEN RITVA SORVA KAISU JUNTUNEN-BACKMAN
1. Slater JE. Allergic reaction to natural rubber. Ann Allergy 1992; 68: 203-12. 2. Turjanmaa K, Reunala T, Rasänen L. Comparison of diagnostic methods in latex surgical glove contact urticaria. Contact Derm 1988; 19: 241-47. 3. Axelsson IGK, Eriksson M, Wrangsjö K. Anaphylaxis and angioedema due to rubber allergy in children. Acta Paediatr Scand 1988; 77: 314-16. 4. Gold M, Swartz JS, Braude BM, et al. Intraoperative anaphylaxis: an association with latex sensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 87: 662-66.
Latex allergy and
repeated graft rejections
SIR,-Immediate-type IgE-mediated allergy to latex can cause a wide range of reactions from localised contact urticaria to systemic anaphylaxis. 1,2 We present a patient in whom contact with latex
during surgical procedures was probably the reason of repeated rejections of autologous grafts. In a 15-year-old boy with a combined lip-jaw-palate-cleft, attempts at reconstructive surgery at age 8, 9, and 11 had all ended with rejection of transplant. A reason such as bacterial infection could not be found, despite investigations including histopathological studies of rejected tissue. Before a planned fourth operation, the boy was referred because of face swelling that had occasionally developed after dental procedures and had persisted for several hours. This reaction had been known about for more than 8 years. The swellings were not associated with the use of a particular local anaesthetic. There was a history of atopy (hay fever since age 5, bronchial asthma at 5-10 years). Prick testing with common inhalant allergens yielded positive reactions to cat epithelium and housedust mite; specific IgE antibodies could also be demonstrated by radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Total serum IgE was 300 kU/1 (normal 100 kU/1). Prick testing with local anaesthetics and patch testing with contact allergens were negative. Prick tests with solutions of natural brown and white latex were strongly positive (such reactions were not found in controls). The swelling resulting from latex skin prick testing persisted for more than 6 h. Application of a piece (1 cm2) of a latex surgical glove on the inner forearm produced urticarial swelling within 5 min. High inhibition of specific IgE antibodies against natural latex with commercial latex discs could be demonstrated (RAST class 4). An IgE-mediated allergy to latex was diagnosed. All previous reconstructive operations were done with latex-containing surgical gloves. Because this might have been the cause of graft rejections, it was proposed that for the fourth attempt of reconstruction, a latex-free procedure should be used. This was done, and the grafts were accepted without complications for the first time. It is common in surgery that post-traumatic oedema must resolve before reconstruction can begin. This especially applies to grafts,
which are at high risk for rejection when applied while oedema is present or increasing. It is probable that in our case, localised urticarial reaction resulting from contact with latex gloves was responsible for repeated graft rejections. In cases of transplant rejection of unknown cause, allergy should be considered. Department of Dermatology, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, W-2000 Hamburg 20, Germany; and Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität,
DIETRICH ABECK BERNHARD PRZYBILLA FRIEDEMANN ENDERS
Munich
JOHANNES RING
1. Gold M, Swartz JS, Braude BM, et al. Intraoperative anaphylaxis: an association with latex sensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 87: 662-66. 2. Turjanmaa K, Laurila K, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S, Reunala T. Rubber contact urticaria. Contact Derm 1988; 19: 362-67.
Laparoscopic pericardial fenestration for malignant pericardial effusion SIR,—We have used laparoscopy to treat malignant pericardial tamponade palliatively. This approach has not, to our knowledge, been described previously. A 69-year-old woman was admitted with a 3 week history of rapidly worsening dyspnoea. In 1989 she had undergone a left upper lobectomy for a squamous bronchial carcinoma and local and mediastinal recurrence had occurred. On admission she had cardiac tamponade (hypotension, raised jugular venous pressure [JVP], pericardial rub, peripheral oedema). Kussmaul’s sign was positive and a large pericardial effusion was confirmed ultrasonically. Under ultrasound guidance, a pericardial drain was inserted via the perixiphoid approach. 300 ml bloodstained fluid was aspirated after which the patient became normotensive. However, the raised JVP and peripheral oedema remained and she continued to be dyspnoeic after even slight exertion. Cytological examination of the pericardial fluid revealed no malignant cells. To avoid future recurrence of the pericardial effusion, the more definitive procedure of laparoscopic pericardial fenestration was done. Under general anaesthesia, a pneumoperitoneum was introduced via a subumbilical incision, through which laparoscopy was done. Laparoscopy trocars (11mm and 5 mm) were placed to the left of the abdomen for instrumentation. No intra-abdominal evidence of malignancy was seen. However, the position of the pericardial attachment to the central tendon of the diaphragm was easily visualised, over the left lobe of the liver, by presence of cardiac pulsation and bulging caused by pericardial fluid. A 3 cm incision made into this area with a diathermy hook resulted in a gush of bloodstained fluid into the peritoneal cavity. This incision provided decompression of the tamponade and prevention of fluid reaccumulation. Through the pericardial window, secondary deposits were visible on both the visceral pericardium and the myocardium. The procedure lasted 30 min, during which the patient’s vital signs remained stable. She made a rapid and largely uneventful recovery. On the evening of the operation, atrial fibrillation developed but settled quickly on digoxin. By 48 h she said she felt more comfortable and was much less dyspnoeic, had a normal JVP, and very little peripheral oedema. She had no problems from the laparoscopic procedure, was pain-free, and was sufficiently mobile to be discharged home. Malignant effusions bring unpleasant symptoms that may be difficult to palliate. Percutaneous drainage allows short-term relief of tamponade but effusions may reaccumulate. Pericardial fenestration offers a definitive solution but its use in patients with malignant disease has been limited by the need for laparotomy, which is often unacceptable in such patients. Moreover, the time to full recovery from a laparotomy erodes the already short-life expectancy of these patients and seriously reduces the palliative benefits of the procedure. Fenestration via laparoscopy gives definitive pericardial decompression and symptom relief with a quick recovery. The palliation achieved is excellent, and we suggest that laparoscopic fenestration is the treatment of choice.
BUPA Southbank Hospital, Worcester WR5 3AG, UK
ANDREW READY JOHN BLACK RICHARD LEWIS BRUCE ROSCOE
The presence of latex allergens in a dummy made of natural gum (Infa, "special safety dummy", Nordisk Forbindstof, Denmark) and in a silicone teat for bottles (Esska, Sweden) was analysed in an immunospot system (modified dot blot). Extracts from the dummies, and also from latex gloves and centrifuged rubber tree sap as controls, were applied to nitrocellulose sheets. One sheet was incubated with a pool of sera from latex-RAST-positive patients. A serum with a negative latex-RAST but positive cereal RAST was used as control. After washing, the plates were incubated with radioactive anti-IgE (Pharmacia) before autoradiography. IgE antibodies from the latex-RAST-positive serum were bound to the
latex dummy, but not to the silicone teat. IgE was also bound to the control extracts (glove and sap). The control serum did not show any IgE binding. There are reports of latex allergy in children exposed to balloons.3 Children with congenital urological abnormalities have an increased risk of intraoperative anaphylaxis, probably due to latex allergy from frequent exposures to rubber catheters.4 Because babies’ dummies contain natural latex, exposure to natural latex allergens is very common. Our findings show that sensitisation to latex can occur even in infancy. In eczema, urticaria, or anaphylaxis in babies, latex allergy should be borne in mind. Gloves, catheters, and other latex products could cause anaphylaxis during surgical procedures. Thus, tests for latex allergy might be recommended for surgical patients with allergy. Department of Allergic Diseases, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00250 Helskini, Finland
SOILI MÄKINEN-KILJUNEN RITVA SORVA KAISU JUNTUNEN-BACKMAN
1. Slater JE. Allergic reaction to natural rubber. Ann Allergy 1992; 68: 203-12. 2. Turjanmaa K, Reunala T, Rasänen L. Comparison of diagnostic methods in latex surgical glove contact urticaria. Contact Derm 1988; 19: 241-47. 3. Axelsson IGK, Eriksson M, Wrangsjö K. Anaphylaxis and angioedema due to rubber allergy in children. Acta Paediatr Scand 1988; 77: 314-16. 4. Gold M, Swartz JS, Braude BM, et al. Intraoperative anaphylaxis: an association with latex sensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 87: 662-66.
Latex allergy and
repeated graft rejections
SIR,-Immediate-type IgE-mediated allergy to latex can cause a wide range of reactions from localised contact urticaria to systemic anaphylaxis. 1,2 We present a patient in whom contact with latex
during surgical procedures was probably the reason of repeated rejections of autologous grafts. In a 15-year-old boy with a combined lip-jaw-palate-cleft, attempts at reconstructive surgery at age 8, 9, and 11 had all ended with rejection of transplant. A reason such as bacterial infection could not be found, despite investigations including histopathological studies of rejected tissue. Before a planned fourth operation, the boy was referred because of face swelling that had occasionally developed after dental procedures and had persisted for several hours. This reaction had been known about for more than 8 years. The swellings were not associated with the use of a particular local anaesthetic. There was a history of atopy (hay fever since age 5, bronchial asthma at 5-10 years). Prick testing with common inhalant allergens yielded positive reactions to cat epithelium and housedust mite; specific IgE antibodies could also be demonstrated by radioallergosorbent test (RAST). Total serum IgE was 300 kU/1 (normal 100 kU/1). Prick testing with local anaesthetics and patch testing with contact allergens were negative. Prick tests with solutions of natural brown and white latex were strongly positive (such reactions were not found in controls). The swelling resulting from latex skin prick testing persisted for more than 6 h. Application of a piece (1 cm2) of a latex surgical glove on the inner forearm produced urticarial swelling within 5 min. High inhibition of specific IgE antibodies against natural latex with commercial latex discs could be demonstrated (RAST class 4). An IgE-mediated allergy to latex was diagnosed. All previous reconstructive operations were done with latex-containing surgical gloves. Because this might have been the cause of graft rejections, it was proposed that for the fourth attempt of reconstruction, a latex-free procedure should be used. This was done, and the grafts were accepted without complications for the first time. It is common in surgery that post-traumatic oedema must resolve before reconstruction can begin. This especially applies to grafts,
which are at high risk for rejection when applied while oedema is present or increasing. It is probable that in our case, localised urticarial reaction resulting from contact with latex gloves was responsible for repeated graft rejections. In cases of transplant rejection of unknown cause, allergy should be considered. Department of Dermatology, Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, W-2000 Hamburg 20, Germany; and Department of Dermatology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität,
DIETRICH ABECK BERNHARD PRZYBILLA FRIEDEMANN ENDERS
Munich
JOHANNES RING
1. Gold M, Swartz JS, Braude BM, et al. Intraoperative anaphylaxis: an association with latex sensitivity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 87: 662-66. 2. Turjanmaa K, Laurila K, Mäkinen-Kiljunen S, Reunala T. Rubber contact urticaria. Contact Derm 1988; 19: 362-67.
Laparoscopic pericardial fenestration for malignant pericardial effusion SIR,—We have used laparoscopy to treat malignant pericardial tamponade palliatively. This approach has not, to our knowledge, been described previously. A 69-year-old woman was admitted with a 3 week history of rapidly worsening dyspnoea. In 1989 she had undergone a left upper lobectomy for a squamous bronchial carcinoma and local and mediastinal recurrence had occurred. On admission she had cardiac tamponade (hypotension, raised jugular venous pressure [JVP], pericardial rub, peripheral oedema). Kussmaul’s sign was positive and a large pericardial effusion was confirmed ultrasonically. Under ultrasound guidance, a pericardial drain was inserted via the perixiphoid approach. 300 ml bloodstained fluid was aspirated after which the patient became normotensive. However, the raised JVP and peripheral oedema remained and she continued to be dyspnoeic after even slight exertion. Cytological examination of the pericardial fluid revealed no malignant cells. To avoid future recurrence of the pericardial effusion, the more definitive procedure of laparoscopic pericardial fenestration was done. Under general anaesthesia, a pneumoperitoneum was introduced via a subumbilical incision, through which laparoscopy was done. Laparoscopy trocars (11mm and 5 mm) were placed to the left of the abdomen for instrumentation. No intra-abdominal evidence of malignancy was seen. However, the position of the pericardial attachment to the central tendon of the diaphragm was easily visualised, over the left lobe of the liver, by presence of cardiac pulsation and bulging caused by pericardial fluid. A 3 cm incision made into this area with a diathermy hook resulted in a gush of bloodstained fluid into the peritoneal cavity. This incision provided decompression of the tamponade and prevention of fluid reaccumulation. Through the pericardial window, secondary deposits were visible on both the visceral pericardium and the myocardium. The procedure lasted 30 min, during which the patient’s vital signs remained stable. She made a rapid and largely uneventful recovery. On the evening of the operation, atrial fibrillation developed but settled quickly on digoxin. By 48 h she said she felt more comfortable and was much less dyspnoeic, had a normal JVP, and very little peripheral oedema. She had no problems from the laparoscopic procedure, was pain-free, and was sufficiently mobile to be discharged home. Malignant effusions bring unpleasant symptoms that may be difficult to palliate. Percutaneous drainage allows short-term relief of tamponade but effusions may reaccumulate. Pericardial fenestration offers a definitive solution but its use in patients with malignant disease has been limited by the need for laparotomy, which is often unacceptable in such patients. Moreover, the time to full recovery from a laparotomy erodes the already short-life expectancy of these patients and seriously reduces the palliative benefits of the procedure. Fenestration via laparoscopy gives definitive pericardial decompression and symptom relief with a quick recovery. The palliation achieved is excellent, and we suggest that laparoscopic fenestration is the treatment of choice.
BUPA Southbank Hospital, Worcester WR5 3AG, UK
ANDREW READY JOHN BLACK RICHARD LEWIS BRUCE ROSCOE
